Nishi Honganji Sanju-rokunin Kashu

Sanju-rokunin Kashu (Collection of Thirty-six Anthologies) is a set of illuminated manuscript codex from the early 12th century containing a collection of '' waka'' poems by thirty-six master poets (Thirty-Six Immortals of Poetry). The were originally selected for an 11th-century anthology known as the Sanju-rokuninsen (三十六人撰) by Fujiwara no Kintō. In the 12th century, the poems were transcribed as a compilation for the birthday of Emperor Toba (r. 1107–1123) consisting of 39 volumes and involving 20 calligraphers.Calligraphy attributed to Fujiwara no Sadanobu. Poems of Ki no Tsurayuki from the Ishiyama-gire, detail showing page of poetry. early 12th century. Asian Art Photographic Distribution (University of Michigan). Artstor, library-artstor-org.libproxy.temple.edu/asset/AAPDIG_10311725681 It is the oldest surviving manuscript that contains the collection of the 36 poets and is designated as a National Treasure, and is believed to be the oldest known example of paper marbling. It also contains chigiri-e, a type of paper collage. In the 16th century, the works were dedicated to Nishi Honganji which was located in Ishiyama in the Osaka Prefecture. The temple was later moved to Kyoto and divided, and at this point the works became part of the formal Nishi Hongan-ji National Treasures, where they are still stored.

The set contains thirty-nine volumes of which thirty-two are original in ACE1109-1112. One (collected poems of Fujiwara no Kanesuke) was altered to another late Heian period manuscript. Four volumes are from the mid-17th century (Edo period). Two volumes are replicas by Tanaka Shinbi (1875–1975) produced c. 1920s. The original two volumes were separated and sold to collectors as single leaves in 1929. The manuscripts are '' Detchōsō'' bound (glued books). 20 cm x 16 cm and the paper ornamented with silver, gold, colour, mica, and ink.

Image:36poets collection Turayuki 1stVol.JPG , Ki no Tsurayuki 1st volume Fujiwara no Sadazane
Image:36poets collection SHITAGO.JPG, Minamoto no Shitagō volume
Image:36poets collection MITSUNE1L.jpg, Ōshikōchi Mitsune volume
Image:36poets collection AKAHITO2.jpg, Yamabe no Akahito volume
Image:36poets collection SOSEI.JPG, Sosei volume
Image:36poets collection HENJO.jpg, Henjō volume
Image:36poets collection SANEAKIRA.JPG, Minamoto no Saneakira volume
Image:36poets collection MOTOZANE.JPG, Fujiwara no Motozane volume
Image:36poets collection MOTOZANE2.jpg, Fujiwara no Motozane volume
Image:36poets collection TADAMINE.jpg, Mibu no Tadamine volume
Image:36poets collection MOTOSUKE.JPG, Kiyohara no Motosuke
Image:36poets Collection Yoshinobu.JPG, Ōnakatomi no Yoshinobu
Image:36poets collection KANEMORI.JPG, Taira no Kanemori volume

Ishiyama-gire

In 1929, The two original volumes: the second volume of poems by Ki no Tsurayuki and the volume of those by Lady Ise, were dismembered into separate sheets and sold to collectors for the purpose of gaining funds for Musashino University. Masuda Takashi , manager of this sale, named fragments Ishiyama-gire. Most of them are mounted to hanging scroll format.

Image:Page from the Ishiyama-gire - Google Art Project.jpg, Ki no Tsurayuki volume2
Image:ISIYAMAGIRE TURAYUKI2nd.JPG, Ki no Tsurayuki volume2
Image:36poets collection TURAYUKI2nd2.JPG, Ki no Tsurayuki volume2
Image:36poets ISE ISIYAMAGIRE.JPG, Lady IseMuseum of Japanese ArtYamato Bunkakan)

References

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National Treasures of Japan
Works of calligraphy